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While the Met Gala may have captured headlines in recent years, the Gold Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday proved to be a dazzling affair that celebrated Asian Pacific talent across various industries. Hosted by the non-profit Gold House, the event brought together stars from entertainment, fashion, technology, and more, all dressed to impress on the red carpet.
One of the standout looks of the evening came from actor Karrueche Tran, who donned a striking red ao dai with a sheer overlay and headpiece by Vietnamese American fashion designer Thai Nguyen. Tran, who is of Vietnamese and African American heritage, xpressed her pride in representing her culture through her outfit.
Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind, winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race", made a statement in a dress and cape featuring a bold print of neon yellow and white "laser-cut clouds" by Singaporean designer Sheng Cheong, reimagining club kid fashion in the Forbidden City.
Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar opted for an ornately embroidered suit jacket by Rimple and Harpeet, an Indian fashion brand known for its handcrafted pieces inspired by ancient crafts and vintage textiles. Indonesian singer Agnez Mo accessorized with golden hairpins and an elegant hand fan, adding a touch of glamour to her ensemble.
The Gold Gala, often referred to as the "Asian Pacific Met Gala", honors the Gold House's A100 list, recognizing one hundred Asian Pacific leaders who have made significant contributions to culture and society. Among this year's honorees were author and TV host Padma Lakshmi, actor Lucy Liu, and the cast and creator of Netflix's "Beef".
For actor and comedian Joel Kim Booster, the event symbolized a shift in the industry's attitude towards Asian representation. "Events like this are so exciting to me because when I was coming up, there was a lot of energy like, there's only going to be one of us in the room", he said. "It's rewarding to be in a space where we're all supporting each other".
In recent years, there has been a noticeable change in the representation of Asians in Hollywood. A joint study by Gold House and USC Annenberg found that the percentage of speaking Asian characters in top box-office films in the US rose from 3.4% in 2007 to 15.9% in 2022. These roles are also becoming more complex and diverse.
The rise of streaming platforms has provided more opportunities for diverse storytelling both on and off-screen. Shows like FX's "Shogun", which features a predominantly Asian cast speaking mostly in Japanese, have been praised for their authenticity and storytelling.
While progress has been made, many in the industry acknowledge that there is still work to be done. "It's an exciting time to see the Asian diaspora coming together to tell our own stories", said fashion designer and gala creative director Prabal Gurung. "There's a long way to go, but progress is being made".
